AS I SEE IT: So What is the WWE Looking For?

AS I SEE IT: So What is the WWE Looking For?
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheetshttp://pwbts.com

So, after last week’s comments about how great a thing it was to have WWE finally acknowledge that concussions are a serious issue and that CTE may well be a result; what is WWE looking to do?

According to Dave Meltzer, WWE began a long-term storyline where HHH is suffering concussion related symptoms after his battles with Brock Lesnar, and after a punch to the jaw in his match with Curtis Axel. We saw the first part of this on RAW this past week; as the Curtis Axel-HHH match to conclude RAW saw HHH take the offense to Axel, then late in the match hits a Spinebuster, and starts acting as if he’s shaken up from his PPV match the night before with Lesnar. Finally, HHH comes into the ring, then slides out and goes out to the commentators’ booth and actually takes a seat. He acts as if something’s wrong, and asks for water which he pours over his head.

It’s then played up, as if this “isn’t part of the script” with the referee more or less stopping he match, going over to see how HHH is, instead of counting him out. Then HHH falls to the ground, after trying to get back into the ring three times, appears dazed on the floor, and cannot get up as RAW concludes.

The follow-up in coming weeks is supposed to be Stephanie, Vince and perhaps HHH and Stephanie’s kids (?!) urging him not to wrestle again because of all the damage done to him.

Terrific. A concussion angle.

So what’s next? Does Stephanie say to HHH that if he keeps wrestling, will you kill us like Chris Benoit killed his wife and child? Or ask if he’ll commit suicide like Junior Seau? Obviously not, but…

This angle is wrong in so many ways. It sets up people like me (and far more importantly, the mainstream media) bringing up past events (such as Benoit, if someone’s in the media is smart enough to connect the dots), or bringing up the general style of wrestling and injuries…oh, and the fact that WWE talent is required to carry their OWN medical insurance rather than having it provided to them by a profitable company.

I’m sure someone will say that this angle is designed to make a point about concussions, and is a writeout angle for HHH to transition to fulltime management. But doing a storyline that puts a spotlight on a part of your own industry that you’d rather ignore is not exactly the smartest thing to do. WWE couldn’t have some other body part injured, say, a busted ear drum, and losing equilibrium?

Speaking of promotions not providing medical insurance, here again is news on a fan campaign to help pro wrestler Michael Paris (aka TNA’s Zema Ion) with his medical expenses.

Paris was recently rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with appendicitis, after suffering from severe abdominal pains. It may well have been the most fortunate attack of appendicitis ever, as while examining his condition through CAT scans, doctors discovered a five centimeter tumor located on his colon.

As of this writing, it is unknown whether the tumor is cancerous, Paris will soon have to undergo another surgery to remove it. In the meantime, fans are trying to help pay his growing medical expenses. He does not have health insurance, so the costs for these surgeries and hospital will be expensive. Please help us to afford this effort and pitch in any way possible,

It’s notable that there’s been no word whatever from TNA on assisting Paris with his expenses.

Paris began as Shiima Xion with Pittsburgh’s International Wrestling Cartel, and became a mainstay with the promotion for several years winning the IWC Super Indy IX Tournament in 2010, was twice the IWC Super Indy Champion, twice the co-IWC Tag Team Championship with Jason Gory, and twice the IWC Heavyweight Champion.

Paris also has international experience, with Japan’s Dramatic Dream Team promotion, he won the 2006 Takechi Six Man Tag Scramble Cup with Kudo and Mikam. He’s also worked Mexico for the Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU) promotion in 2009, as well as appearances with AAA in 2009, as well with other Mexican independents through 2012.

He’s also appeared with other US independent promotions, including CZW, Far North Wrestling and New Era Pro Wrestling.

After 9 years, he was signed to a contract with TNA Wrestling in 2011, where he won the X Division championship last year.

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